Zantalth: The magic is returning Read online

  When he opened the door to them, he said, “Ah good you're here. Come in, both of you.”

  “I wasn’t sure if I should come,” Eynam said.

  “Yes, yes. Come and sit down.”

  The three of them sat around his table which had, unlike yesterday, several piles of books on it. Tallia looked over at his bookshelves that were now almost empty.

  “Shall I make us some tea?” Eynam suggested.

  “That would be nice, thank you,” Merek replied as he sat down.

  “As you can see,” he said tapping one of the piles of books, “I have been doing some research. My main interest was a myth from when the lands had been created by the gods that I vaguely remember from my time as an initiate with the elders at the castle. They have an extensive library there with every book and scroll ever written.”

  The most books Tallia had ever seen were the ones in front of her now on the old priest's table and could not imagine what a library full of them would be like.

  “Unfortunately,” he continued, “I have not been able to find anything more than a passing reference to this myth.”

  “What do you remember about it?” Eynam said as she poured hot water onto the leaves in a pot.

  “Not very much I am afraid. Something along the lines of, just after the gods created the earth and the water around it Larknoz created one person before descending into her watery domain to create the creatures within.”

  “You mean there are creatures in the water?” Tallia interrupted.

  “Yes many. Anyway, the myth says that she created this one person to keep an eye on her brothers. I believe it said she was of great beauty with long flowing hair and emerald eyes.”

  “Just like Tallia?” Eynam said as she placed the cups down on the table and sat down.

  “Yes, it was Tallia’s eyes and what the old woman in the dream said that made me think of it. Also, I believe it said that Larknoz also gave the girl vast magical powers so that she may never be detected by Skaldoz, Skicedez, and Skasdez. Now, this is where it gets interesting. I was able to find some references to what I believe some of her powers were. The most interesting is being able to connect with the animals of Zantalth.”

  “Like I can?” Tallia asked.

  “Well, that’s not very clear. Let me ask you were you able to talk to the bird? Kind of be able to tell it where to fly?”

  “I don’t know I didn’t try to.”

  “No matter. Could you hear what it was thinking?”

  “I don’t think so. But I might have missed that as I was trying to deal with what I could see.”

  “Yes of course you were. It was probably very frightening.”

  “The first time yes, but the second time when I did it on purpose I was still a little frightened, but it also felt rather beautiful, a kind of free feeling, but not in any way I have felt before.”

  “Mmmm, interesting, it may be that you can feel their emotions rather than thoughts themselves. After all, I am sure the creatures do not think in words like us.”

  “I suppose not, although, sometimes when I have been feeding the pigs I have wondered what they were thinking as I filled their troughs.”

  “Mmm indeed,” he said. But Tallia heard him think Not very relevant.

  “Sorry, your eminence. I thought it might be.”

  “Might be what?”

  “Relevant.”

  “Oh, yes, of course, you can hear my thoughts. It’s very unsettling to know you can hear everything I think.

  “I don’t think it’s everything as I only hear certain things.”

  “Explain.”

  “Well, it seems I pick up on thoughts that are directed at me rather than everything unless you don't think as much as I do.”

  “TALLIA don’t be rude,” Eynam said.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean you your eminence, I meant everyone.”

  “Don’t worry young lady I knew what you meant and also know you would never be rude to anyone. You have brought her up very well Eynam.”

  “Thank you, your eminence.”

  “Now,” Merek continued, “it’s this business of knocking Jeb off his feet that has me most worried. I have not been able to find anything about such an ability or even a spell or incantation. If indeed it was you.”

  “I don’t know if it was me or not your eminence. It looked like it came from nowhere, but I did feel very angry and upset.”

  “I think for the time being it is better we assume it was you and something you had no control over. You are potentially a danger to people here in the village and with all the other things I am going to send you to see the elders themselves. They will be much better placed to help you.”

  Tallia and her mother gasped and looked at him in horror.

  “But your eminence please, my daughter has not even been down the ladders yet, and the journey to the castle is dangerous.” Eynam pleaded.

  “Calm down. She won't be leaving just yet, and I will be sending Poriya with you as a guide and escort. He knows the lands well and has taken messages to the castle for me in the past.”

  “Please your eminence, could you not just send a message for advice?”

  “It would be a waste of time. I know the elders will want to see her for themselves.” Also she is too dangerous he thought.

  “It’s okay mother,” Tallia said.”I am too dangerous to have in the village. Jeb was lucky he fell onto something soft. What if it had been a rock? He would have been badly hurt.”

  Merek and Tallia exchanged a quick glance him knowing that she had heard him think she was dangerous.

  “As you know the elders of the council of the twelve have ruled since the end of the war of the gods. The first twelve being given the skills to manipulate some of the natural laws to help keep peace and protect the people. Every two or three decades a newborn boy was chosen by the elders to take into their care and teach their mystical ways. A process that would take seven decades before replacing an elder who it was foreseen was dying. It has now been over twenty decades since the last chosen one, and I understand the elders are no closer to seeing the next one or the death of any of their number. It is apparent that Tallia has the ability to manipulate the natural forces, even if accidentally, and I feel the elders must see this for themselves,” Merek said.

  “Personally I believe that your daughter will be absolutely fine,” Merek continued. “And anyway my decision has been made. I have already spoken to Poriya, and he says he needs three days to prepare. He is expecting you by the north wall at sunrise tomorrow. ”

  “I thought you said three days?” Eynam said.

  “Yes I did, I understand he needs to prepare you as well,” Merek said looking at Tallia.

  “Did you tell him about my, err, things?” Tallia asked.

  “I thought it was only fair, so yes. As you say it’s a dangerous journey and I am sure he doesn’t need any undue surprises.”

  After Tallia and her mother returned home and had some lunch, Tallia sat with her head propped up in her hands under her chin thinking over what Merek had said and the daunting prospect of such a long and dangerous journey.

  “Mother? Can I go and see Jeb please?”

  “I guess so. Merek didn’t say you couldn’t go out at all. But do try and avoid others, please. We have no idea what is being said about you.”

  “Okay, I will, thank you.”

  Tallia slipped out of the house making sure no one was around first and walked the three doors down to Jeb’s house. She knocked on the door, and his mother answered. Seeing Tallia there she smiled at her as Tallia asked, “May I see Jeb please?”

  “He’s not here. He said something about going to sit on a wall. He didn’t make much sense, sorry.”

  Tallia grinned and said, “Don’t worry I know where he is.” She glanced up and down the street and ran off towards her place on the western wall. On her way, she came close to running into several people but each time managed to dodge around another street or u
p an ally to hide until they passed.

  Eventually making it to her special place to find Jeb sitting on the wall staring out over the fields and the forest beyond. As she climbed up and sat next to him, he turned his head, and they smiled at each other. “I was hoping you would come here eventually,” he said.

  “Of course I would, where else would I go?”

  “I thought Merek might have locked you up or something.”

  “Nah he didn’t — but I do have to go away soon.”

  Jeb’s face dropped, and a look of panic and horror spread across his face. “NO, I mean. I don’t want you to. Where?”

  “I know you don’t. I have to go see the elders at the castle.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Merek doesn’t know what to do with me and he thinks I might be dangerous.”

  “That’s silly, your not dangerous.”

  “Jeb, I might be. Look what happened to you. If that haystack had been a rock pile or a wall you might have been badly hurt.”

  “Yeah but I wasn’t”

  “But you could of been Jeb, listen, I don’t know how to control these things, and Merek thinks the elders will be able to help. It’s best I go.”

  “Then I am coming with you.”

  “Jeb, no, it’s dangerous, you can’t.”

  “That’s why I am coming with you, to keep you safe.”

  “Oh, Jeb, thank you, but I will have Poriya with me.”

  Jeb looked crestfallen at this and then suddenly looked hopeful as he said. “Poriya is a swordsman, you will need an archer with you as well.”

  Tallia looked baffled, “what are you talking about.”

  “I am very good with a bow and arrow and getting better every day. My tutor says I will be the best in the land soon.”

  “I didn’t know —”

  “I want to be a hunter so have been doing extra practice.”

  “That’s great Jeb, and I’m sure you will be the plateaus best hunter ever but your forgetting that you are not thirteen yet —”

  “I am nearly.”

  “And your parents and even Merek will forbid it.”

  “I don’t care, I am coming, and nothing will stop me.”

  “Wow, I have never seen you this determined about anything.”

  “I’m going to see Merek now.” He jumped off the wall and ran off before Tallia could stop him.

  Oh dear he’s going to be heart broken when Merek says no she thought.

  Tallia wondered why Merek asked about the bird and if she could hear it think, surely she wouldn’t understand as it wouldn’t think in the same language. Maybe she should try with a larger bird it may have stronger thoughts.

  Looking around she spotted a raven sitting on a post further along the wall. Focusing her mind on the bird and closing her eyes the view from the bird's eyes came clearly into focus. She allowed herself to relax and listened carefully. She couldn’t hear anything at all except the noise of other birds and the breeze that was blowing gently, although the sound did seem different in some way.

  The raven spread its wings and flew off over the wall. As it did Tallia heard the flapping of its wings quiet loudly as if she was very close to it as it took off. As the bird flew and the ground below rushed by she had a feeling of freedom. Go left she thought. The feeling of freedom changed suddenly to one of fear and panic and the view from the bird's eyes were gone.

  I frightened it she thought. Of course why would it understand words? Maybe if I just need to feel a desire to turn.

  Looking behind her she saw a small bird sitting on the roof of a house close by which took off immediately. She focused on it as it flew away from her and closed her eyes. The view from the bird's eyes appeared, and the feeling of freedom filled her. She remained quiet for a few moments watching as it flew fast over the top of the houses. She spotted Merek’s house off to the left and tried to feel a desire to go towards it without actually thinking and words. The feeling of freedom turned to slight confusion but as the bird turned and headed towards his house it decreased, and the freedom returned. Tallia struggled to remain calm and relaxed desperate not to frighten the bird.

  Before it got to the house, she spotted a tree off to the right. Again she imagined a desire to go towards it. The bird turned but with less of a confused feeling this time.

  Tallia then decided to be a little more daring and did her best to desire to want to go to Merek’s house. She imagined what it looked like and that she had just seen it. The bird turned and headed towards the building. As the bird was approaching the house, she could see Jeb standing at the door with Merek just inside, talking to him. She imagined landing on the roof above the door, and the bird flew straight for the exact spot and landed. As it landed the feeling of confusion came over her as if the bird was confused as to why it had landed there. She conjured up the desire to look down at the street, and the bird turned around and looked down at Jeb in the street below.

  “I will give it some serious thought Jeb,” she heard Merek say.

  “Thank you, your eminence. Please, I really must accompany Tallia I could not stand not knowing if she is safe,” she heard Jeb reply.

  “I understand Jeb, and you have put a surprisingly good argument to me. Very mature.”

  “Thank you, your eminence.”

  “Now run along I will let you know my decision when I have made it.” With that Merek stepped out into the street and looked up at the bird sitting above his door listening.

  Tallia opened her eyes and broke the bond with the little bird. He didn’t just say no he said he would consider his request she thought. She was surprised at this. It then dawned on her that she had just been controlling that little bird, she had got it to go where she wanted and to listen in on Jeb’s and Merek’s conversation.

  Jeb came running back to where Tallia was still sitting. “Tallia, Merek said he would think about it. I am sure he is going to let me,” Jeb said with a great deal of excitement.

  Jeb was so excited and looked so happy she really didn’t want to upset him, she had also decided to keep her new discovery about controlling the bird secret even from Jeb for now. “That is good news Jeb. I really wish you would think this through properly though.”

  “Merek tried to get me to change my mind but I didn’t and I won't.”

  “But what about your parents?”

  “They will be very proud of me I am sure.”

  “Yes your probably right,” she said with a sigh.

  “Do you not want me to come with you?”

  “I don’t want any harm to come to you Jeb. You have been my friend for like ever, and if you get hurt because of me, I would never forgive myself.”

  “It’s my decision to come and protect you, so it won't be because of you. Anyway, I’m not going to get hurt, and I am coming no matter what you or Merek or my parents say. So there.”

  Tallia looked at him to see he had a stern and serious look about him. “Thank you, Jeb, I feel much safer knowing you will be there to protect me.” She smiled at him then put her arm around him and kissed him on the cheek. The feelings she felt coming from him almost overwhelmed her, and she heard him think Oh wow she kissed me, she kissed me. “Yes Jeb I kissed you.”

  “Can you hear everything I think?”

  “It’s complicated but kind of. If I concentrate on you then yes but otherwise just the things aimed at me. Well, I think anyway.”

  “Oh.”

  They sat in silence together for a little while both staring out across the forest far below. “Jeb? What are you thinking about?”

  “I thought you could hear my thoughts.”

  “Not all the time and was wondering why not. What were you thinking about.”

  “Archery and how many arrows I should bring with me.”

  “Can you think about me or sort of try to think something at me.”

  “Okay.” Jeb looked at her tried to think of something to think but couldn’t think of anything.

 
; “Are you doing it yet?”

  “I can't think of anything.”

  “Anything will do, something silly.”

  Jeb thought Tallia do you want some bread?

  “You want to know if I want some bread.”

  “Oh wow that’s so cool.” Tallia do you want some soup?

  “Now you want to know if I want soup.”

  I like your mums chicken stew.

  “Yes so do I. Do you think of nothing but food?”

  “No, I mean yes, I think about archery,” he said defensively and you.

  “I think about you as well.”

  Jeb gasped, “You heard that?”

  “Sorry Jeb. But it’s okay I like that you think of me.”

  Do you really?

  “Yes Jeb I do.”

  Good, that makes me happy.

  “I know it does I can feel it from you and you can talk normally now.”

  You can tell the difference?

  “Yes, when you speak I hear with my ears when you think at me I hear in my head. Now please let me use my ears.”

  Jeb giggled and said “Okay sorry, I was having fun.”

  “So was I but if someone saw or overheard a one sided conversation it might upset them.”

  That evening after prayers and the torches were being lit Merek broke with tradition and asked everyone to stay behind for an announcement. “Many of you have heard the rumours about Tallia,” he began. “Well, it is true. She has been chosen by the gods to possess some special gifts and magical powers. Let me make it clear she is not a witch and is not going to destroy everything.” A ripple of whispers went through the crowd.

  “This is as much a surprise to her as it is to everyone else and she needs your support, love, and prayers. In a couple of days, she will be leaving to seek council from the elders. It is a long and dangerous journey, and she needs all our encouragement and prayers. I will be sending Poriya as her guide. Jeb can you come up here please.”

  Jeb was surprised at this which clearly showed on his face. He made his way forward and up onto the low platform next to Merek.

  “This brave young man has been quite insistent that he accompany Tallia as her protector and we should all pray for help from the gods in helping him in his chosen task. I am sure Tallia will be safe in his hands.”